St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 6671 Germantown Ave., is holding a community-wide flea market, book drive and fun day to benefit the Emlen School on Saturday, July 12 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. The rain date is Saturday, July 19.

In addition to the flea market, there will be a barbecue, activities for children, singing, praise dance, and knitting lessons.

St. Michael's is looking for people to rent tables ($10 donation), donate elementary age books (new or used and in good condition), and/or provide bookstore gift certificates or tax deductible cash donations for the school.

This is the second community event and fund raiser that St. Michael’s has organized to benefit Emlen. St. Michael's is concerned about inequities in the education system and decided to partner with its local public elementary school to support its success. St. Michael's hopes to provide mentors for students in the fall. St. Michael's sees the flea market as a way to raise community awareness and show give support to one of our local public schools.

For information about the flea market, to rent a table or make donations: Kathryn Mariani 215-380-0842 or kathrynmariani@aol.com. For information on how to partner with St. Michael’s to support the Emlen School, contact the church office at 215-848-0199.

I just got an anonymous tip that supposedly, a major motion picture will be filming extensively on Penn's campus this summer.

Click to find out which film!

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The Big Picture is the Veggie Tales and small children worship coming to St. Michael's Lutheran Church...for more information, please call the church office 215-848-0199 and leave a message for Pastor Ingram!

News Item:
Catholics, Muslims, ink pact

Catholic and Muslim leaders in South Jersy signed an agreement yesterday, pledging cooperation and understanding of each other. It was the second such signing in the US. The first occured in 2003 in Rochester, New York. If the effort will now migrate to other states across the nation, and what impact, if any, it will have, remains to be seen. It is an effort, however, so that's a good thing, but radical factions from either side were notably absent.

News Link: Courier Post

Cartoon from Sid in the City

Please watch this music video on YouTube about Breaking the Cycle in Philly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DvWaDNDXmM

Thanks!

Join us for a service commemorating the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr...

In addition to our regular worship, which includes the Word and Holy Communion, we will also have our liturgical dancers..

All are welcomed!

St. Michael's Lutheran Church
6671 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, Pa 19119
(215)848-0199

Worship begins at 11:00 am
Adult Forum at 9:30 am

News Item:
Huckabee ad shows Christian Cross

First off, let me clarify, this is not an endorsement for Mike Huckabee for President. Our selection for a presidential candidate will appear here in late spring or early summer. His name starts with an 'S' and ends with an 'id'.

Now then... the clamor about the Huckabee Cross is still in the news after two weeks, and as is the case with most items that make political headlines these days, it's much ado about nothing. If you somehow haven't seen the ad, or photos of it, here's a brief summary. Huckabee uses the spot to send out Christmas greetings to all, most likely because it was the week before Christmas. The camera pans slowly as he delivers his message, and an image begins to appear in the shot. It's a bookcase, or part of a bookcase, the area where the shelves come together, and to some it appears to be a cross. To other, less gullible folks, it looks like a plus sign, since the horizontal and vertical lines bisect each other in the middle. But that's besides the point. The 'cross' also appears to glow slightly, because it's softened, a result of photographic depth of field. You know how your kid's school photo, or most any portrait, always has a blurred background to center your focus on the subject? Same thing.

This is a political campaign that started two years in advance, which in itself is totally ridiculous. Real issues are already becoming 'old' news, and there's still 11 months to go before the election. For those 11 months, it seems candidates will not only have to be concerned with the message they put forth, but also about what appears on the screen behind them.

News Link: The National Ledger

Cartoon from Sid in the City

You are invited to St. Michael's Watch Night Service, which will be held on December 31, 2007 at 11:00 pm.

Pastor Ingram
(267)625-1318

Christmas can be a painful time for some. It may be the first Christmas without a loved family member who has recently died; it may be a time that has always been difficult.

The constant refrain on the radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had. The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation - all these can make us feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating and spending. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern; we need to know that we are not alone.

Our spirits sink, as the days grow shorter. We feel the darkness growing deeper around us. We need encouragement to live the days ahead of us.

For these reasons, St Michael's Lutheran Church offers a special “Longest Night” service on December 21st at 7:00 pm. Come out, and join with us in sharing and hearing prayers, scripture, and music that acknowledge that God’s presence is for those who mourn, for those who struggle - and that God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness. Everyone, regardless of church background (or lack of it) is welcome.

We are located at 6671 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa 19119, for more information, please call the church office: (215) 848-0199.

useing one hand to hold so ever tight. useing the other to cause so much fright. seeing parents with thier kin. seeing the world and all its sin. with such love they hold them near. with such hate the rest must fear. if love thy neihbor like thy kin. thy kin might find a world with no sin. why do we not do all we can. to not find our kin in such a dreary land. the answers are not too far-infact closer then you think. for love is all you need. love is all you need. love is all you need. do you never stare into your children's eyes? perhaps if you did it would give you such a drive. to do all you can to stop all the pain. to love thy neihbor as thy same. points I try to convey is that lives are taken everyday. you wouldn't have to hold so tight. if you wouldn't cause so much fright. whats the difference between you sending me to war. and me killing your fresh new born. for you have the power for him not to die. for you have the power to open your eyes. what can be said to stop all thy dead. what can be said of why you want a bullet in my head. gaze into their eyes and i hope you will find. peaceful solutions for all mankind.

Take the Lead: Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise

Service of Holy Communion and the Word
December 2, 2007 - 11:00 a.m.

St. Michael's Lutheran
6771 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, Pa 19119

Join us as we come together as people of God, to worship and lift up those infected and/or affected by the HIV/AIDS virus.

Leadership is the theme of this worship service.

In the response to HIV and AIDS it is crucial that people in the church choose to accept leadership where there is none and to strengthen people already leading in the HIV response whether nationally, in their cities and villages, and in the churches themselves.

All are welcome.

Pastor Andrena Ingram
visit us on the web: http://stmichaelsgermantown.org

Friday, November 9, 2007
8am-5pm
PA Convention Center

The time has come for us to stop talking about the problems in our neighborhoods and start acting. This year’s conference is inspired by the community activists and youth leaders who work hard to make our neighborhoods places of opportunities where people excel, ideas grow and dreams are realized. By bringing together young people ages 14-21 and adults from around the region, we will begin to create real solutions to the many challenges in our communities. Workshops and interactive sessions will empower youth to effectively address the challenges they face everyday and enhance adults’ capacity to nurture the potential of every youth. We invite everyone, both youth and adults, interested in making a positive and lasting impact in their community to “Step Up!” and “Be the Change”.

**This year’s conference will feature an exciting keynote speech by Ephren W. Taylor, CEO of City Capital Corporation and the youngest African-American CEO of a publicly traded company ever!**

*The conference will also feature a lunchtime comedy performance by Philadelphia’s own Keith from Up Da Block!*

For more information, or to register, visit us online at www.greatsettlements.org or call Amanda at 215-925-7875.

Tea Party Fundraiser - November 3rd, 1pm - 4pm
Ladies get out your fancy hats and gloves! There is going to be a fundraiser in St. Thomas Hall. The event is being hosted by the Women of St. Michael’s. Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children. Nyle Webber on piano and Vivian Williams, soloist.

St. Michaels Lutheran Church is located at 6671 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia Pa 19119
Telephone #215-848-0199

Masquerade Game Night - October 31st, 6pm - 8pm
Come and join us for an evening of fun and games. Wear a costume, if you are so inclined, but it is not required. There will be games, arts and crafts, snacks, lots of fun and probably some surprises.

We are located at 6671 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia Pa 19119 (between Springer and Phil-Ellena)
(215)848-0199

Community Share Table - October 27, 2007, 9 am - 1 pm
Rain or Shine. St. Michael’s will hold a day of sharing our household items, bric-a-brac, clothing, used toys, furniture, etc. with each other and the community at large. We will invite neighbors and community members to bring their goods or just come and take what they like. Free will offerings will be accepted.

Tables will be set up in the parking lot and side walk. In case of rain, we will set up in St. Thomas Hall. Leftover items will be donated to Whosoever Gospel Mission.

We are located at

6671 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa 19119

(between Springer and Phil-Ellena)
contact: Pastor Ingram (215)848-0199